NACDS totally exposed

The 2013 NACDS Total Store Expo offers showgoers the latest in products, marketing campaigns and innovations. Grocery retailers continue to expand their pharmacy departments with knowledgeable staff and a wide array of products. That is leading to more emphasis on various OTC categories at grocery. As Baby Boomers continue to age and consumers continually look for “self-remedies” in lieu of doctor visits, this area of the store is expected to only become more important. A visit to the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores’ Total Store Expo, August 10 to 13, promises to provide analysis and insights to help retailers meet the growing needs of consumers. Total Store Expo features a Center of Learning and an Innovation Center that highlights emerging technologies, trends, consumer and disease state insights, products and merchandising vehicles. “The business potential at the NACDS Total Store Expo is shaping up just as the industry envisioned it,” says NACDS president and CEO Steven C. Anderson. “Beyond the strategic exchange, NACDS has applied the same truly total store focus to the entire conference agenda—from the educational programming to special areas in the exhibit hall that will focus on innovation. The rewards for engaging in the right ways in the NACDS Total Store Expo will include business success, new insights, bold ideas and a creative vision for defining the future, and we look forward to hearing the results earned from the preparation that is being done by companies right now.” Below are highlights from just a few companies exhibiting at the show: Modular Thermal Technologies Booth #2354 www.mttmax.com Officials for Modular Thermal Technologies say part of the goal at the show is to continue their expansion into the supermarket channel. The North Kingstown, R.I.-based company currently manufactures three sizes in its line of CryoMAX eight-hour cold packs. “CryoMAX sales have grown greatly in the last several years since the packaging was changed to an impactful ‘3D type look’ that makes the product almost jump off the shelf and into the consumer’s hands,” says Arthur Pirrone, vice president, sales and marketing. Recently, the product’s support wrap was improved to give it better cold transmission through the protective material while improving the Velcro straps that better enable the product to stay on the body. “We believe our next distribution growth area with current accounts will be with the small size SKU since it is designed to cover the smaller areas of the body.  This second size will not cannibalize the top ranking medium product because it offers cold therapy to areas of the body where the medium is too large to cover,” Pirrone adds. Meda Consumer Healthcare Booth #2364 www.medaconsumer.com Meda Consumer Healthcare is the non-prescription business unit of Meda Pharmaceuticals, the U.S. subsidiary of Meda AB. Meda AB is an international specialty pharmaceutical whose products are sold in more than 120 countries. The company markets several brands including Contac Cold Flu, Geritol multivitamin and liquid supplements, Feosol iron supplement therapy, Vivarin alertness aid and MidNite drug-free sleep aid. “Meda Consumer Healthcare ‘breathes new life’ into the brands it acquires. Through a combination of proven marketing principles and cutting-edge marketing techniques, we create entirely new lifecycles our stable of well-known brands,” says Jeffrey B. Cohen, vice president and general manager for the Marietta, Ga.-based company. “What sets us apart are our people—experienced marketers with deep passion for brands and expertise in consumer focused marketing and customer driven sales,” he adds. “Diligent and committed brand stewards, our people focus on priorities, collaborate quickly and continuously work to improve market performance in order to improve the lives of consumers and patients.” Hyland’s Booth # 2645 www.hylands.com Hyland’s is highlighting several new packaging designs that better position its products for consumers, company officials say. “The fresh new look offers a more modern and attractive appearance to draw consumers’ attention while providing additional space to highlight the key features and benefits of the medicines,” says Les Hamilton, vice president of the Los Angeles-based company. Package designs featured include Hyland’s Baby and Hyland’s 4 Kids packaging, which complement the updated Hyland’s Restful Legs, Hyland’s Nerve Tonic and Hyland’s Leg Cramps products. As the company enters the second half of the year, it hopes to build off the success of its 7-Day Sleep Challenge launched in March with a new 5-Day Stress Challenge, which will launch in September. Designed to provide consumers with valuable content to manage and relieve daily stress, the free Stress Challenge offers participants the opportunity to win products and other giveaways from Hyland’s and partner brands. “Hyland’s is committed to supporting consumers as they strive to live a healthy life,” says Hamilton. “This year, Hyland’s is proud to be a new sponsor of two Life Time—The Healthy Way of Life Co. signature events, including the Athleta Esprit de She —The Spirit of Her Race Series and the Life Time Kids Tri Series.” The company will leverage this opportunity to introduce this highly motivated, health-oriented audience to its range of natural performance and recovery products. Wahl Clipper Corp. Booth # 3058 www.wahlpets.com The Wahl Clipper Corp. manufactures products for the professional beauty and barber salon trade, consumer personal care and animal grooming. The Sterling, Ill., based-company offers a complete line of pet grooming products that include a full selection of pet clipper kits, all-natural wet goods and popular grooming tools such as brushes and nail cutters. Following the launch of its All Natural Dog Shampoos, Wahl is adding All-Natural Doggie Deodorant to its product offering. Wahl’s Doggie Deodorant is alcohol-free and made from plant-derived ingredients, making it safe for spraying directly onto pets to eliminate odors in a eucalyptus spearmint scent, say company officials. The All-Natural Odor Neutralizer is designed to eliminate odors as opposed to masking them. Its all-natural formula allows pet owners to use it directly on pets, as well as bedding, furniture, carpeting or wherever odors are present, add officials. “Our no muss, no fuss all-natural No-Rinse Waterless Shampoo product literally takes the dirty work out of bathing,” says Shay Moelle, product manager to the North American consumer pet division. “Pet owners simply apply the foaming agent to their pet’s coat to remove top-level dirt and odors, resulting in a soft, clean coat. It’s a practical and convenient option for in between baths.” Majestic Drug Co. Booth #3154 www.majesticdrug.com In addition to its expansive line of dental and personal care products, Majestic Drug Co. is featuring its newest innovation, Senzzzzz Away. “Senzzzzz Away is a tooth desensitizer that will offer instant relief from tooth sensitivity due to cold, sweets and heat,” says Nilda Oyola, vice president of sales for the South Fallsburg, N.Y. based company. “Just one application puts tooth sensitivity to sleep for up to six months.” The company will also be featuring its various flossing products, including the Sword Floss, the original disposable floss/pick. The Proxi-Plus interdental brush with bonus flosser and Dentool Jr, a two-in-one professional quality dental tool including a scraper and a pick will be on display as well. Majestic Drug entered the niche oral care market in 1979 with the launch of Dentemp Custom, an over-the-counter temporary dental repair designed to re-cement loose caps and replace lost fillings. It later expanded with the Refilit for lost fillings, the Repair-It denture repair kid and the Reline-It denture reliner. Navajo Manufacturing Co. Booth # 3366 www.navajomfg.com Navajo Manufacturing Co. is addressing the three fastest growing categories it services in the mass channels: Eyewear—both readers and sunglasses—HBC Trial and Travel program, and the Cell Phone Accessory categories. “We will be sharing category information such as consumer insights, buying patterns and what Navajo Manufacturing is doing to not only meet these demands, but also anticipating future trends through our extensive research,” says Mike Stotts senior vice presidnet of sales and marketing for the Denver-based company. Stotts says retailers that are participating in these categories with Navajo Manufacturing are enjoying high double-digit comp store growth. “It is our desire to share these insights and to assist retailers so they can experience the same profitable sales growth in their stores,” he adds. ScriptPro Booth #3908 www.scriptpro.com ScriptPro, which develops, provides and supports robotics-based pharmacy management, workflow and telepharmacy systems is featuring several of its robots, including the new Compact Robotic System (CRS). The Mission, Kan.-based company is also providing attendees with demonstrations and support. The CRS robots interface with the pharmacy management system to fill, label and deliver up to 150 prescriptions per hour, say officials. The systems contain 75, 150 or 225 universal dispensing cells, which can be calibrated on-site by pharmacy staff. Officials say that because the CRS fills directly from the dispensing cell into the vial, there is no drug cross contamination. The CRS robots also print and apply the prescription and auxiliary labels and deliver uncapped vials for final inspection and on-screen drug image verification. “ScriptPro continually works to develop solutions for every size and volume of pharmacy in order to provide efficiency and more profitability while adding the safety checks, workflow enhancements and time-saving features that are the hallmarks of ScriptPro technology,” says Mike Coughlin, president, CEO and CFO. Coughlin adds that these robots are unique because access is required from only the front of the cabinet, allowing shelving to be placed against the remaining three sides of the unit, or to put the robot against a wall. A built-in workspace gives staff a convenient place for cell replenishment and overflow storage. Firstline Manufacturing Corp. Booth #4057 www.firstlinebrands.com Firstline Manufacturing Corp. is a hair care specialty distribution company that offers affordably priced products geared to the needs of its consumers. The Houston-based company’s product lines are designed to meet the needs of its consumers with high-quality hairbrushes, combs, satin sleep maintenance items, and fashion-forward styling accessories. Firstline’s product portfolio—Evolve, WavEnforcer, Dri Sweat, Sleek and Camryn’s BFF—includes more than 400 items. Firstline’s Evolve combs feature metallic tips that minimize hair frizz; Evolve Deep and WavEnforcer Spin brushes contain 100% natural boar bristles; and Dri Sweat headwear is designed for men and women who have active lifestyles or exercise routinely and desire to maintain their style. Firstline’s portfolio also includes the Evolve Silky collection of scarves and knotted headbands, which are designed to provide a fashionable alternative to everyday hairstyling. To meet the needs of the tween market, Firstline recently launched Camryn’s BFF, a product line that includes a colorful assortment of unique headbands, elastics and clips. “The company is currently creating more new products that speak to the fashion-conscious consumer and offer increased styling opportunities,” says Joni A. Odum, marketing director. “For example, our new Evolve Naturally collection includes items designed to help our consumers maintain healthy, natural hair.” Brush Buddies Booth #4355 www.brushbuddies.com This summer, Brush Buddies is the exclusive oral care partner of The Smurfs 2 movie with Smurfs Talking, Poppin’ and Standard toothbrushes. “We are bringing the Smurfs chararters to life with the Talking Papa Smurf and Smurfette toothbrush, and Poppin’ Papa Smurf and Smurfette,” says Anish Patel, president of the Fontana, Calif.-based company. Brush Buddies is also featuring its Brite Beatz products, a patent pending technology that showcases a music and light show inside a toothbrush and Bling toothbrushes with its patent pending glueless technology implemented to create a toothbrush with over a 1,000 jewels on a single toothbrush. American Greetings Corp. Booth #4535 www.americangreetings.com American Greetings is featuring a variety of products that meet consumer needs across generations and create happiness, laughter and love, say company officials. “Booth attendees will be greeted by justWink,” says Mike Wovna, divisional vice president, sales, for the Cleveland-based company. “These one of-a-kind cards consistently engage Gen Yers because the words and designs reflect their personality and how they communicate.” A QR code on the back of each paper card directs consumers to download the free app for Android and iPhone. American Greetings is also featuring products from its content partners and licenses, which include The Bonnie Marcus Collection, Lovable Boofle, Mary Engelbreit, Kathy Davis and Singer/songwriter Taylor Swift greeting cards, creative product and her new Taylor Swift Greeting Card Mobile App—which can be demoed at the booth. Kirby Lester Booth #4628 www.kirbylester.com Kirby Lester is featuring its KL100 midsized dispensing robot. The KL100 is a 100-medication robot that combines the highest level of medication safety with the simplest operation, say officials for the Lake Forest, Ill.-based company. “With the exclusive FillSafe technology aboard, the KL100 sets a new standard for secure, automated dispensing,” says Mike Stotz, senior marketing manager. “FillSafe prevents any unapproved cassette replenishment, virtually eliminating any room for error.” The FillSafe system is only available on Kirby Lester’s new midsized KL100 and compact KL60 robots, both of which will be featured at the Kirby Lester booth. It is not only dispensing safety that is elevated with the KL100, say officials. Efficiency and speed will increase as 50% or more of a pharmacy’s total daily orders can be easily handled by the KL100, they add. At 59 inches deep, the KL100 is one of the smallest 100-cell robots and is designed to fit into an existing floor plan without the need for costly renovation. “The KL100 never compromises speed and efficiency, even with the most advanced security software; prescriptions are automatically dispensed in about 30 seconds,” Stottz adds. Pharmavite Booth # 5230 www.naturemade.com “For more than 40 years Pharmavite has been a trusted leader in the wellness industry, recognized for providing high-quality vitamins, mineral and herbal supplements under its Nature Made brand name,” says Tim Toll, executive vice president of sales for Northridge, Calif.-based Pharmavite. In fall 2012, Nature Made VitaMelts vitamin supplements were introduced to the marketplace with six initial offerings: Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Zinc, Energy, Sleep, and Relax. Designed to battle pill-fatigue, VitaMelts melt smoothly in a consumer’s mouth and can be taken anytime, anywhere because water is not needed. This fall, Pharmavite will extend the VitaMelts line by introducing Nature Made VitaMelts Multi and Nature Made VitaMelts Hair, Skin & Nails. Nature Made VitaMelts Multi, made in a tropical fruit flavor, is formulated with 12 vitamins to support the daily nutritional needs of both men and women. VitaMelts Multi contains 100% Daily Value of vitamins A, C, E and B and 1000 IU of vitamin D per serving. VitaMelts Hair, Skin & Nails comes in a strawberry lemonade flavor and is formulated with 2500 mcg of Biotin, which may help support healthy hair, skin and nails, and 60 mg of vitamin C, which supports collagen production, per serving.